I’ve been fortunate enough to have travelled and experienced most of our beautiful but imperfect world. But nowhere have I seen as many young couples, displaying their affection for one another throughout the beaches, parks and Lisbon’s waterfronts. Maybe it’s the city that brings out the romance in them? Or maybe it’s the music played by the street musicians that you find in every popular hangout of the locals and tourists alike.
Portugal has a diverse musical culture – from the French Provençal strain in the folk music of the north of the country, to Fado, the country’s national musical treasure.
The intensely melancholic songs are usually about love, woes, and pains, or express sadness and longing for things that were lost or that were never accomplished or my favourite the city sung as if it was one of your first loves.
You can find Fado everywhere in Lisbon these days but the oldest and most popular districts is Alfama and its become my favourite because of one place called A Viela do Fado. Now owned by Pedro Fernades and Family. His beautiful and talented 20 year old daughter Jessica, or as she is known senora Alfama, sings there every night as do others. I’ve seen local legends play guitar and sing about long lost love and the city as well as a 13 year old, long blond hair boy, who looked like a Ralph Lauren surf model. Who gave the legends a run for their money. But what does a 13 year old boy know about long lost love and where is his surfboard?
Its never been a dull night when I’ve been there and Pedro, who looks more like he belongs in Miami that Alfama, knows how to make you feel welcomed and treats you like you’re his best new buddy. You want to go back just to hangout with this guy
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